Kazuki Sawanoi

I am an experienced technical project/program manager in software localization and globalization field. I am passionate about helping customers achieve their goals through delivering high quality products and services.

I have managed multiple projects in agile environment with demanding schedules and budget throughout my career. My technical and problem solving skills allow me to understand issues and solve them quickly. I am a good communicator and a team player who can bring people together to pursue common goals.

Curiosity is what motivates me to try and learn new things everyday. I like helping people, whether it's customer or colleague. Bringing people together and helping them achieve their goals makes me happy.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Project Management | Problem Solving | Technical Skills | Data Analysis | Quality Control | Software Localization | Agile Methodologies | Team Building | Communication | Interpersonal Skills

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Programming Languages: C | C# | PowerShell | Python

Platforms: Azure DevOps | Git | JIRA

Database: SQL Server

Applications: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Teams, Google Suite

MICROSOFT CORPORATION, Redmond, WA 2010-2023

Site Reliability Engineer, 06/2020–09/2023

Worked as an on-call engineer in a team of technical support professionals across multiple time zones, supporting a 24/7 cloud-based operation that provided localization services for Windows, Office, and Xbox products. Investigated and resolved technical issues based on the severity and priority of incidents according to the Service Level Agreement. Monitored and adjusted the system using telemetry data to optimize the performance.

• Led a complex migration process of translation data to increase efficiency by using PowerShell scripts to automate the process and reduce cost. 
• Developed a script to extract file-level language data from a complex system. It allowed program managers and engineers to access more accurate data easily.
• Led a multi-disciplinary task force to migrate more than 100 game projects to a new and more secure build tool. It improved the efficiency and stability of the build process by reducing failure.
• Created a manual for the game localization build process and trained vendor engineers to support it. 
• Analyzed data discrepancy in the database caused by an error in the workflow using SQL script.

Program Manager, 04/2016-06/2020

Managed software localization projects for Microsoft Teams products. Provided support for developers to streamline the localization process. Managed external localization vendors and conducted business reviews using Key Performance Indices (KPIs) to maintain efficiency. Analyzed customer feedback and extracted relevant information to address customer pain points.

• Managed multiple software localization projects simultaneously by effectively using vendors, reducing headcount without compromising schedule and quality. 
• Spearheaded the project to implement culturally appropriate name display in Microsoft Teams for East Asia.
• Visualized user feedback data using PowerBI dashboard. It allowed the team to focus on the most impactful issues for the customers.

International Project Manager, 11/2010-03/2016

Managed software localization projects for Skype for Business (Lync) products (Client and Server). Handled multiple releases simultaneously; coordinated schedules with different stakeholders and oversaw quality assurance.

• Investigated and solved complex globalization issues for Skype for Business by supporting developers to improve their code. It increased the quality of the user interface (UI) and customer satisfaction.
• Drove the project to change branding from Lync to Skype for Business by writing a script to replace the branding name in the translation files. 
• Reduced localization bugs for Microsoft Teams Admin Center by 15% through developer training to add context information in the source. It enabled localizers to translate UI strings more accurately.
• Led the Japanese Employee Association to organize a fundraising campaign for the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 to help raise $500,000 within Microsoft.

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

International Project Manager, Office 2007 and 2010, MICROSOFT CORPORATION

International Project Engineer, Live Communications Server, and Outlook, MICROSOFT CORPORATION

Localization Engineer, Game Developer Support, NINTENDO OF AMERICA

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Computer Science (Summa Cum Laude)

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA